By Correspondent
The Federal Government has commission three gas infrastructure facilities in Kano State to expand access to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), promote cleaner energy and reduce transportation costs.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Mr Ekperikpe Ekpo who spoke during the commissioning on Tuesday said the facilities will improve gas distribution, support economic activities and create employment opportunities.
He said the projects comprise 300,000-standard cubic metres per day Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) distribution hub and a retail station at Tanburawa as well as a 21,000-standard cubic metres per day LNG daughter and retail station at Hotoro.
According to him,”Tamburawa hub was design to provide LNG storage, regasification and CNG distribution services, including supply of gas to daughter stations.
”The facilities will improve access to gas for motorists, commercial transport operators and businesses”,he said.
He further explained that the projects align with Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which seeks to translate Nigeria’s abundant gas resources into affordable and accessible energy for households, businesses, industries and the transportation sector.
He added that the move from policy to projects, from plans to infrastructure, and from gas reserves beneath our soil to affordable energy that actually reaches our homes, businesses, industries and transportation systems.
Ekpo said the facilities will deepen gas penetration in Kano and neighbouring communities, provide cleaner energy alternatives, stimulate economic activities and create employment opportunities.
He commend the Executive Director of MDGIF, Mr Oluwale Oladapo-Adama, for supporting qualified investors in accessing funds for development of critical gas infrastructure.
The minister also praise the Managing Director of Rolling Energy Ltd., Mr Mubarak Umar-Danbatta, for investing in gas sector and contributing to the expansion of clean energy infrastructure in Kano.
He appreciate the Kano State Government for providing necessary support and approvals for the projects, stressing importance of collaboration between the federal and state governments and private investors in developing the country’s gas sector.
On his part,the Chairman of Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (Pi-CNG), Mr Ismail Ahmed, describe the commissioning as another milestone in expansion of Nigeria’s CNG infrastructure.
Ahmed, represented by the Special Adviser on Technical Training and Capacity Building Mr. Omoh Imoukhede, he said the development follow commissioning of another CNG facility by Rolling Energy in Karu, Abuja previous week.
He said increasing number of refuelling stations reflect growing investments in Nigeria’s gas economy and will improve access to cleaner transportation fuel.
According to him, “Kano occupies a strategic position in the country’s energy transition because of its large transport economy, commercial activities and number of people who depend on affordable transportation for their livelihoods.
He stressed that vehicle conversion to CNG must be accompanied by development of accessible and reliable refuelling infrastructure.
”Conversion without refuelling infrastructure will not deliver the transition we want. The two must grow together,” he said.
Ahmed said collaboration among the Federal Government, Kano State Government, MDGIF and private investors is essential to move CNG adoption from policy formulation to widespread implementation.
He added that the initiative will provide Nigerians with cheaper, cleaner and safer transportation alternatives while strengthening economy through utilisation of domestic gas resources.
The Pi-CNG chairman congratulate Rolling Energy Ltd., MDGIF, Kano State Government and other stakeholders for their contributions to the successful completion of the projects.